Dump-car and door-operating mechanism.



W. A. GASWELL. DUMP CAB. AND DOOR OPERATING MBGHANISM. APrLIoA'rIoN FILED JAN. 14, 1907.

1,107,896. Patented Aug. 18, 1914 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. A. GASWBLL.

DUMP UAB AND DOOR OPERATING MECHAEIISM` ArrLIoA'TIox rILnn JAI. 14, 1901.

1 ,1 07,896. Patented Aug. 18. A1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q 2 EL 3 ggf f WQA. CASWELL.

DUMP GAR AND Doon OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.14, 1901. 1,107,896. Patented Allg. 18, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

OMJ

W. A. CASWBLL.

DUMP GAB AND D008 OPERATING HEGHANISM. nrmoulol funn :51.14. 1907.

1 ,107,896. Patented Aug. 18, 191i 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. A. GASWELL.

DUMP CAR AND DUoR OPERATING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.14,1907.

Patented Aug. 18,1914

5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

UNTTED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

WILIJAM A. CASWELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TONATIONAL DUMP CAR COMPANY, A CORPORATION CF MAINE.

DUMP-CAB. AND DCOBfOPERA-TING MECHANISM.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1 8,19 14.

Application'ledv January 14, 1907. Serial No. 352,195.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. C As'wnni.,l a citizen of the United States, resldlng at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain .new and use ful Improvements in Dump-Cars and Door- ()perating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. A I

The object of my invention is to provide improved means for operatingthe doors of dump cars, and more particularly to provide means whereby any one or more of the doors may be unlocked and opened independently of the others, as well as to provide a new and improved center sill especially adapted for use with door-operating mechanism herein described, but also useful in connec tien with .other door-operating mechanism andv in cars not provided with dumping doors. ,Y l

Referring now to the drawings-Figure 1 is a cross section of a car constructed in accordance with .my invention showing one pair of doors, one of thel doors being closed and locked and the other in its lowered or `open position. Fig. Qis a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified form of gearing for closing the doors. Fig. 3 is a. side View of a portion of a car showing the mechanism at the end of the car, 4the operating mechanism for one of the door?v and part of that for the adjoiningr door. ig. 4 shows in section the telescoping shafts for operating the door-locking mechanism and the links connected thereto. Fig. 5 is a transverse section showing the construction, of one of he transverse beam'sfand part of the sides ol the car. Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken on line 66y of Fig. 5 looking inthe direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a sectional View, taken on the line 7 of\ Fig. 5 looking. in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 is a section, taken onthe' line 8 of Fig. 5 looking 'inl the direction of the arrow. Figs. 9, 10

and 1Q are detail views of the locking members 2. some of the parts being shown in sect'on.y Fig. 11 is a sectional detail'view of one of the locking members 20. Figs. 13 and 14 are, detail views of one of the door-operat-v ing arms 1Q; and Fig. 15 represents another i:y 'm of locking member.

have ,illustrated my invention in connec tion with t umping `doors 9 connected at the' center of tie car by a tleiible plate 42, of

steel or other suitable material. The inner edges oi' the doors are connected by the links 45, 45 to the center sill of the car, and at the center of the car there is sufficient clearance between the inner edges of the doors to embrace tlie member 4() of the center sill. lnasmuch as my invention claimed herein is applicable to doors hinged to the car body in any suitable manner, further description of the particular means illustrated for that purpose is unnecessary.

Power for raising the doors is applied by means of the hand wheel 61,'bevel gear '62, vertical shaft 63, worm' gears 64, 5, arm'12, and roller 15 o erating on the track 78 fixed to the unders'i e ofthe door 9-all shown in Fig. 1 of 'thedrawings The arm12 comprises two parts, 13 and 14, connected to each other by tlhe plvot 6G. The lower member 14 is recessed at its upper end, as shownin detail in Figs. 13 and 14, and the upper member is pivoted vwithin the recess. The lower face of the recess is inclined, as'shown at (39. and a corresponding inclination is formed on the lower end of the member 13. y l By this construction the upper 'member 13 is permitted to turn to the right on the pivot 66 from the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, but is prevented from turning to the left by the contacting faces G8 and 69', add also by the bridge 67 'extending between theA two prongs of jthe'fupper end of the part 14. By means `of` thisv constructiony the doovs are rigidly supported 'when the parts are in the sition shown in connection with the door on the left-hand side ot Fig. 1 of the drawings.V The doors are raised by applying power to the arm 12, through the hand wheel 61 and connected gearing. "When the door is raised to a horizontal position. the roller 15 on the arm 12 enters the notch 115' inthe track 73. In loweringthe doors, any difficulty 'which might otherwise arise from the weight on the door holding the roller 15 in the notch 115 is avoided by the pivotal connection between the membersd and 14 of the arm 1:2. When the hand wheel (31 is turned in the prper direction to lower the door, the members of the arm 1Q Will turn upon the pivot (i6, until the roller l5 is released from the notch referred to.

It'will be understood that tht murierals 9 each represent a series of doors extending longitudinally of the car, there being one v The shafts 16 upon which the door-operating arms 12 are mounted, extend preferably half the length of the 'car,one of the arms 12 being located adjacent each edge ofV each door. By means of this construction half of the doors `on one side of the car may be closed` at once, by applying power to one of the shafts 16. It is to be observed, however, that when the shafts 16 are operated to lower thea-rms 12, the doors will 'not open until unlocked.

As above stated, one et the principal features of my invention is to provide iniproved locking means for the doors, whereby any one or more of them may be unlocked and permitted to open independently of the others. This feature of my invention is of great value where it is desired to discharge part of the contents of a car into a wagon or elsewhere and leave the remainder of the contents undisturbed. The mechanism b v which this is attained will next be described.

Located beneath the car are a series of tubular telescopic shafts 55, 56, 57 and 58 extending longitudinally of the car, these shafts increasing in length as their diameter decreases. The largest shaft 58 is connected through the mechanism described below to the locking devices of the door nearest the end of the car, and extends from the end of the car substantially to the inner edge of the first door. The shaft of next smaller size projects beyond the larger shaft. a distance substantially equal to the width of the second door, and each of the remaining shafts projects a corresponding distance beyond the shaft next larger in slze. The projecting parts of each of the shafts 55, 56 and 57 are connected to the locking mechanism of the doors located above such projecting parts.

The ends of the tubular shafts 55-58 roject beyondthe end of the car a sufficient distance for the attachment of the crank arms 49, 52, 53 and 54. The operating hand levers 46, 7 0, 71 and 72 are connected to the crank arms by means of links, as shown. When the levers are raised they occupy a substantially vertical position adjacent to the vertical plate 100, which extends outwardly from the end wall of the car, and is affixed thereto by angle irons or other sultable means. Means are provided upon; the plate 100 for holding the levers 46 in upright position and thus preventing the doors from being unlocked. These means may conslst 'simply in links 60 secured to rings 1n the plate 100, as shown in Fig. 1, or a retaining plate or bar may be pivotally or slidably secured to the plate 100 and means provided whereby such plate or bar may be locked in. position, for the purpose of preventing unauthorized persons from unlocking the doors. By means of the mechanism above described, it will be obvious that any of the tubular shafts may be rotated independently of the others.

length substantially equal to the width of one of the doors. The shafts 30, may, however, run throughout the length of the car, if so desired.

Each locking member consists of two plates of sheet metal`91 and 92, secured together and bent into the .form illustrated, thus forming bearings for the anti-friction rolls 3 and 4, and also embracing the block 5, which is secured thereto by rivets or otherwise. The anti-friction rolls 3 bear upon the projections 7 of the transverse beams 93 when the doors are in closed position, as shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 1, and the rolls 4 engage the under sides of the doors and hold them in closedl position. The locking members may be moved from the position shown at the left-hand side of Fig. l to that shown at the right-hand side by lowering the band lever 46, the movement of which 1s communicated to the locking members through the links 50, cranks 80, tubular shafts 55, 56, 57 and 58, crank arms 80 and links 1.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that each of the levers 46, 70, 71 and 72 is connected through the tubular shaft secured thereto to the locking mechanism of one only of the doors, and that means are thus provided for unlocking any one or more of such doors. Preferably. the locks of half of the doors on one side of the car are operated by one set of levers and the connected tubular shafts, the smallest of the tubularshafts 55 extending half the length of the car. There will thus be two sets of operating levers at each end of the car by which half of the doors on either side of the center may be locked and unlocked. For convenience in manipulating the doors, I prefer to number each door,-placing the number on the side of the car above the door-and to number each of the lock-operating levers correspondingly. The numbers for the levers may be placed on'the plate 100.

The auxiliary locking members 20 are secured to the plates 95,` to which the main locking members 2 are also secured. Each of the plates 95extends throughout the Width of one ofthe dumping doors, and

-bers are caused to move in unison.

f door-lockir g mechanism from view.

rthe numeral 90 represents angle irons secured in the Achannel iron 31, to guide and retain the locking members 2 and 20 against displacement.

In Fig. 3 of.the drawing 'II have shown the door nearest the end of the car with the plate 95 removed. In connection with the adjoining door the plate 95 is shown in proper'position. i

The numeral 31 represents a channel member extendinglalong the lower edge of the side of the car, and 21 represents a plate fixed on the outer surface of the side of the car and projecting at its lower edge slightly below the `upper edgecfthe cavity formed by the member 31. The fixed bearing rod 30 of the -lockingmem-bers extends longitudinallyv of the channel within the member 31.

The'modified form of gearing illustrated in Fig. 2 differs from that described, merely in the manner of transmittingv power from the hand wheels tothe shaft 16. Inf the Amo ified form I have shown a sprocket chain 97 engaging a sprocket wheel 98 secured to the hand/ wheel shaft and running over the idler 96, loosely =mounted on one of.`

the tubularshafts and enga 'ng teeth99 upon the Segment 65. It'will e understood that my invention is not restricted to'any particular; manner of transmitting power from'the hand wheel to the power shaft 16. but that any suitable mechanism may be em` ployed for this purpose without 'departing from the scope of my invention.

In Figs. 5, 6,-7 and I have illustrated the structure of the underframe of car as adapted for use in connection with the1 erat'ing mechanism. I n these views the numeral 93 representsl the main web of one of the transverse beams. I-beams 40` and 44. ether withv the horizontal stifenlng plate. .,ecured between them, constitute the cen- :er sill of the car. The Apart 41 is a saddle having a curved surface, provided for the purpose of causing the flexible plate `i2-referred to above*to bend in a gradual curve, thus avoiding the danger -of fracture. The members 41 are preferably of a length equal to the widtlrof the doors between which they are located'. T he I-beam 10 and stiffen- ,ing plate .may extend continuousliv throughout'the length' ofthe car.

The main web 93 of the transverse `beam is reinforced at its upper edge by angle U-sh'aped orA irons 105.0which are secured to and contact with such web, except at the end portions, where they are bent outwardly and spaced from the web 93. The plates 10-1, as shown in F ig. 8, extend from a point above the iocr of the car, where they are secured to the side stakes, through the space between the angle irons 105 andthe web 93. Below bealn andto providel suitable bearings for the tubular shafts of the locking mechanism. I provide reinforcing plates 102, riveted to the web 98 and partially surrounding the circular openings'lll, which serve as bearings for the tubular shafts. The web 93 is. secured to the I- beams 40 vand 44 by means of angle ironsv101,

.In Figs. 9 to 12 of the drawings I have shown the locking members comprising sheet metal part-sA 91 and.92 and a separate plate 95, shown also in Fig. 3, extending through--` out the -width of. the door, 'each of the locking members being securedA 'to the plate 95,. In Fig. 15 the block and the part 92, which form the bearings for the walls 3 and 4 are cured directly to the continuous side-pla te 9.3, th'e intermediate part 91, show'n in F igs. 9 to llbeing omitted. 4In the form shown .in Fig. l15 the part 92 and the plate 95 are bent inwardly at the vlower edgegas illustrated, in order to -stifen the 'structure at this point.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that Iphave provided'simple and effective y.means whereby any one or more of the drop doors may be'opened and closed independently of the others, or whereby all of the doors ofa s'inglesection may bedropped and closed simultaneously.

I claim 1. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side of thelongitudinal axis thereof, means comprising t-elescoping shafts extendingto and operable from the end of the car for'opening any one of the doors independently of all the others.

2..In a car provided with a plurality of doors at. eachl side of ,the center thereof, means extending to and operable from lthe* end of the car for closing the doors in combination with 'means extending to and operable from the end of the car for opening any one ofthe doorsindependently of all the others. y -v A 3. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side of the longitudinal axis thereof, means comprising telescoping shafts extending to and operable from the end of the car for opening any one or more of the doors independently ofv all the others.

4. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side of the center thereof, means extending to and operable from the end of the car for closing the doors in combination with means extending to and operable from the end of the car foropening any one or more of the doors independently of all the others.

5. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side of the longitudinal axis thereof, means comprising telescoping shafts extending to and operable from the end of the car for locking and lunlocking any one of said doors independently of all the others.y

6. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side of the longitudinal axis thereof, means comprising telescoping shafts extending to and operable from the end of the car for unlocking any one or more of said doors independently of all the others.

7. In a car provided With'a plurality of doors at each side of the center thereof,

`- means for closing said doors, means independent of the door closing means for locking said doors 1n closed position, and means extending to and operable from the end of the car for locking and unlocking any one or more of said doors without operating the locking mechanism of the other doors.

8. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side of the center thereof, means for closing said doors, means independent of the door closing means for locking said doors in closed position, and means for unlocking any one or more of said doors without operating the locking mechanism of the other doors.

9. In a car provided with a plurality of doors, locking mechanism for each of the doors, a plurality of shafts extending from A the end of the car to the respective doors,

each shaft connected with the locking mechanism of its door.v

10.111 a car provided with a plurality of doors, locking mechanism for the doors, a plurality of telescoping tubular shafts, each shaft being connected with the locking mechanism ofone of the doors.

11. In a Car provided with a plurality of doors, locking melhanism for the doors, a plurality of*A telescoping tubular shafts extending longitudinally of the car, the largest shaft extending approximately to the inner edge of the door adjacent the end of the car and eachV of the other shafts projecting beyond the one nextlarger a distance approximately equal to the width of one of the doors, each shaft being connected to the locking mechanism of one of the doors.

12. In a ca provided with a plurality of doors, telescopingr tubular shafts connected with the operating mechanism of said doors.

13. In a car provided with a plurality of doors, a series of telescoping shafts, a crank upon each shaft, locks for the doors and connections between the cranks and the locks.

14. In a car provided with a plurality of. dump doors, a separate lock for each door having a part adapted to engage the underside of said door, and mechanism beneath the car. comprising telescoping shafts for operating each lock independently of all the others.

15. In a car provided with a dump door, a locking member pivoted above the door, and an anti-friction roll mounted on the locking member and spaced from the upper part of the locking member sufficiently to 8 receive the edge of the door between said roll and said upper part of the locking member.

16. In a car provided with a dump door, a locking` member for the door having an anti-friction roll adapted to bear upon the under side of the door, and a second antifriction roll adapted to bear upon a fixed part of the car.

17. In a Car, adump door,atrack provided with a notch on the under side thereof, a rocker arm for raising the door, 'the end of the arm engaging the notch when the door is in closed position.

18. In a car provided with a dump door, a rocker arm comprising two pivoted members provided with abutting surfaces, whereby the turning movement of the members upon the pivot is limited.

19. In a car provided with a dump door, a rocker arm comprising two pivoted meinbers provided with abutting surfaces, whereby the arm remains rigid when the door is being raised but may yield upon the pivot when the rocker arm is lowered away from the door. l

20. In a car provided with a dump door; .a rocker arm, the end of which enters 'a depression in the door when the door is i' closed position, and means whereby the rocker arm may yield sufiiciently to permit its end to recede from the depression when the rocker arm is lowered.

2l. In a car provided with a dump door, a rocker arm, and a Worm gear for operating the same to raise the door.

22. In a car, a center sill comprising tivo I-bcams arranged with their central webs in the same vertical plane, and areinforcing plate between the adjacent anges thereof.

23. In a car, a center sill comprising two I-beams arranged with their central webs in the Same vertical plane, a horizontal. reinforcing plate between the adjacent flanges of the I-beams, the lower I-beam terminating Cil \ adapted to support at the car holsters and the reinforcing plate and the upper I-beam being continuous throughout the length of the car.

2l. A transverse beam fora car, comprising a main web portion, reinforcing-plates secured to the ends thereof, said reinforcing plates being spaced from the main web at their central port-ions and forming bearings for part of the door-locking mechanism.

A transverse beam for dump cars, comprising a main web portion and reinforcing plates at the ends thereof formed with projections adapted to co-act With the locking mechanism of the dump doors.

QG. A transverse beam for a dump car, having a main web portion and reinforcing plates secured to the ends thereof, said reinforcing plates having outward projections the locking mechanism of the dump doors and having upward projections secured to the side stakes of the car.

27. A transverse beam for a dump car having a main web portion reinforced at its upper edge by angle irons, said angle irons beine spaced from the Webs at the ends, and reinforcing plates secured to the ends of the web and extending upwardly and secured at their upper parts to the side stakes of the car.

28. A transverse beam for a dump car having a bearing opening therein for the door-operating shaft, and reinforcing plates secured to the opposite faces of the beam and extending partially around said opening.

29. In a dump car, locking mechanism for the doors, levers at the ends of the car for.

operating said locking mechanism and a plate substantially parallel to said levers When the doors are locked, and means for locking said levers to said plate.

30. In a dump car, the combination of a plurality of load supporting doors, means extending to and operable from the end of the car for independently releasing the doors, and common positive means for relocking the various doors.

31. In a dump car, the combination of a plurality of dumping doors on the same longitudinal side of the car, common means extending to and operable from the end of the car for releasing all of them, and means for releasing any door from the action of the releasing mechanism.

32. In a dump car, the combination with a plurality of dumping doors on the same longitudinal side of the car, means extending to and operable from lthe end of the car for releasing all of such doors together, and for releasing any door independently of the others.

33. In a car provided with a plurality of doors at each side and adjacent the c/enter thereof, means comprising telescoping shafts extending to and operable from a single part of the car for opening any one of the doors independently of all the others.

34. In a car rovided with a plurality of doors at each -sxde and adjacent the cenottl thereof, means for closing all the doors fr, a single part of the car in combination with means extending to and operable from a single part of the car for opening any one of the doors independently of all the others.

35. In a car provided with a dumping door, a series of locking members therefor depending below the side walls of said car, and a vertical plate substantially in the plane of said side wall for rigidly connecting said members.

VILLIAM A. CASWELL.

Witnesses:

WALTER A. Sco'l'r, NORMAN A. SfrREE'r. 

